Lark men top eighth-ranked BMC

Thursday

Jan 31, 2013 at 5:30 AMJan 31, 2013 at 5:30 AM

By Mark Schnabel Newton Kansan

HESSTON — The Hesston College men’s basketball team knocked off eighth-ranked Brown Mackie College 101-97 Wednesday in NJCAA Division II, Region VI play at Yost Center. The win was Hesston’s third straight and 11th in the last 12 games. The Larks shot at a torrid pace — 16 of 26 in the first half for 61.5 percent and 14 of 26 for 53.8 percent in the second half. Hesston led 48-41 at the half, but the Lions were able to come back in the second half. Down by three, Alex Santiago hit a trey for Hesston with 14 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game. Hesston was four of six from the field and four of four from the free throw line in overtime, while Brown Mackie was three of nine from the field and two of two from the line. Pierre Zook led Hesston with 33 points. Mahlon Jones added 21 points with 10 assists. Santiago scored 14 points. Beau Palmer scored 12 points and Mason Davis added 10 points. Brown Mackie, 18-4 overall and 6-2 in Region VI play, was led by Rico Spikes with 24 points, followed by Thaddeus Rideau with 18, Kurt Mitchell with 15, Wendell Pierre with 13 and Robert Perry with 11. Hesston improves to 16-6, 3-3 in Region VI play. Hesston hosts Kansas City (Kan.) Community College at 8 p.m. Monday.